People have been clamoring for ages for a proper SimTower successor. It would seem that skyscraper construction simulators are a very niche genre. Sure, we have a few mobile releases from Kairosoft and NimbleBit that may scratch that itch, but it's not like they can really compete on the same level. This is why so many fans of the genre were ecstatic when Kalypso Media's Project Highrise hit the scene. It was received very well when it originally released on PC back in 2016, and to my delight, it has been ported to Android and is officially available on the Google Play Store for $3.99.
The first thing to point out is that this is a game that works best on tablets thanks to the amount of text and buttons displayed on the screen. But that doesn't mean it isn't also compatible with phones. I was able to install this on my OP5T and GS8+, and I feel my experience has been perfectly acceptable, though some people may feel that the text is a little too small for 6" screens and under. So please consider this before you make a purchase.
Another issue I noticed is that the game is listed as compatible with the Shield TV. This listing is a mistake because it can't actually be installed on the device. It is also worth pointing out that there is no controller support. This is a touchscreen-only game.
But past those few niggles, this is an excellent release. The simulation tower building gameplay is just as great as it is on PC. There is a full campaign mode that includes a few different difficulty levels and starting conditions to work your way through, plus you get a tutorial mode that teaches you the ropes along with a free play mode that lets you create however you like. Rest assured, there is a ton of content to explore that can easily keep you busy for hundreds of hours. And if you don't believe me, just check out all of the positive Steam reviews.
Now since this is a mobile release, the monetization has been changed to suit our more casual gaming ecosystem better. You can grab Project Highrise from the Play Store for $3.99, but there are also a few in-app purchases included in the title that are used for expansion and content packs that range in price from $0.99 - $3.49.
I am of the opinion that simulation games tend to port great to touchscreen devices thanks to their original mouse controls that convert well to touchscreen inputs. This is easy to see with the release of Project Highrise, which is why I am so happy to report that it is not only a faithful port but also a title that lends itself quite well to mobile gaming. If you at all enjoy simulation tower building games or have been searching for a spiritual successor to SimTower, your day has finally come. Seriously, this is probably the best tower construction sim out there today, and now that it has released on Android we can all enjoy it from the comfort of our phones and tablets.
PRESS RELEASE
Project Highrise prepares to tower over the App Store and Google Play
Smash hit PC skyscraper construction and management sim arrives on iPad and Android tablets
Hamburg, Germany – 12 April 2018. Game publisher and developer Kalypso Media along with developer SomaSim, today announced the launch of smash hit PC skyscraper construction sim Project Highrise on iPad and Android tablets. Delivering sky high thrills to armchair architects around the world, Project Highrise has been extensively redesigned for touchscreen devices.
Playing as both architect and developer in Project Highrise, your job is to build world-famous skyscrapers that will be the envy of the entire city, masterpieces of art and engineering. But a skyscraper is more than just steel and glass; it’s an intricate ecosystem, full of people that live and work in the building. They become a complex machine that needs your steady hand to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
From the moment you break ground, every decision rests with you. As the architect, you must coordinate the construction of everything - every wall and wire, every office and apartment. As the building owner, you must keep your tenants happy - and pay rent on time. As a savvy developer, you must keep an eye on the bottom line and invest in the future. Succeed, and you will reap the rewards of a prestigious address where everyone will clamour to live and work. Fail, and you will watch tenants leave in disgust, taking their business elsewhere and leaving your reputation in tatters.
Will you create an exclusive office highrise that attracts business leaders from around the world? Will you construct luxury apartments in the sky, penthouses for the elite and playgrounds for the famous? Perhaps greed will get the better of you, and you’ll build a tenement building that trades tenant happiness for loads of cash? All these choices and more are yours. Success is entirely in your hands.
Download the game from the App Store:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1277095117
Download the game from the Google Play Store:
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kalypsomedia.projecthighrise
· Deep and complex simulation of a modern skyscraper.
· Huge variety of tenants with their own unique characteristics, from restaurants, to offices, retail stores, or residential apartments.
· Open sandbox play with several difficulty levels and starting conditions allowing you to build your dream skyscraper towering above the surrounding city.
· Campaign mode that tests your skill at building a successful highrise in challenging scenarios.
· Test your management mettle by keeping up with your buildings diverse population and their ever-increasing demands.
· Hire specialized consultants to increase your building's curb appeal, operational efficiency, and pull with city hall.
Sold as a premium-priced title, Project Highrise comes to tablets complete with hours of challenging gameplay. Players also have the option to purchase bonus expansion packs introducing new luxury apartments, retail options, office types, scenarios and more to broaden the experience.
Project Highrise is available globally for iPad priced at £3,99/ $3,99/ 4,49 Euros
Project Highrise is also available globally for Android tablets priced at £3,99/ $3,99/ 4,49 Euros.
